Iconic island toy shop enjoys new Winslow Way locale

Calico Toy Shoppe moved in to the former location of Winslow Drug (previously Vern’s Winslow Drug) just in time for the holidays.

But only just barely.

Owners Elisabeth and Tim Dahl, and their daughter Sydney and some very dedicated staff members, worked ‘round the clock to get the whimsical Winslow institution packed and moved down the street from its longtime Winslow Green locale in time to reopen on Black Friday in the new, expanded location.

They did it in just three days — one of them, of course, being Thanksgiving.

Along with the fresh facade out front and a new, larger window display, Elisabeth said the new location had brought the shop (which has been around for more than 30 years) many more walk-in customers, including some who were surprised to find Bainbridge “has a toy store?”

Inside the newly converted 4,000-square-foot space, visitors will find toys for kids of all ages, many from local suppliers and some with eco-friendly themes. They’ve got all the classics, too, and Legos and puzzles and board games abound next to stuffed animals and action figures of all sizes.

The toy shop is only the fourth tenant ever in the downtown Winslow spot, which first opened in 1956.

Dahl said she’d been in to the drug store many times, and had come to say goodbye to the previous owner when she heard it was set to close back in May. She was struck by an exciting idea.

“I had this vision of toys everywhere,” she said.

Others, apparently, had similar epiphanies, as Dahl quickly learned there were at least five different parties vying for the space when she made inquires. Whether by luck — or maybe fate — Calico was the last hopeful standing when the frantic fury subsided.

Sad as she was to see the drug store close, Dahl said she felt better knowing that another time-honored island venture would occupy the historic space, and she was proud to keep up the spot’s tradition of housing locally owned businesses.

Calico Toy Shoppe (now at 290 Winslow Way East) is currently open for expanded holiday hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. on Sunday.